About Us

We are the Nutrition Services division of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), located in beautiful, historic Charleston. Our division is committed to providing the clinical knowledge and expertise to meet the health demands within our community.

Achieving balance for optimal health is challenging, as demonstrated by the fact that approximately 65% of Americans are either overweight or obese. The economic, physical, and social consequences are enormous.

Solving such complex problems requires applying research-driven approaches to nutrition therapy in clinical settings and disease prevention in the community. Our goal is to integrate a multidisciplinary strategy, which improves the health and welfare of the South Carolina population.

Clinical Nutrition Mission

Our Nutrition Service is a multidisciplinary effort to enhance the quality of life for our patients and community through education, service, and empowerment. Our mission is to enhance the health and wellness of our patients and community through education, research, service and clinical expertise.

Clinical Nutrition Vision

Our vision is to coordinate nutrition activities across MUSC and the community and to promote partnerships, which lead to effective education, research, and practice in nutrition. We will advance the accessibility of nutrition services through the innovative use of personnel and technology.

Our Clinical Services

MUSC Health nutrition services are provided by a team of Registered Dietitians (RDs) who have acquired their nutrition expertise through an advanced nutrition science degree and dietetic internship program. To provide the highest level of care, dietitians managing specialty patients have received additional certifications in diabetes education (CDE) and nutrition support (CNSC).

The clinical nutrition organization structure is designed to integrate nutrition services into every aspect of patient care. Nutrition services are provided to inpatients and outpatients of both the pediatric and adult populations.

Dining Services: Locations and Menus

Guests, employees and students have a wide variety of dining options at MUSC. Whether you are in the mood for a hot entree and vegetables or international cuisine, the food choices are seemingly endless. To assist our patrons in making wise food choices, the nutrition analysis of foods is clearly displayed. MUSC has four main dining locations available to visitors, students, and staff: University Hospital, Ashley River Tower, Rutledge Tower, and Starbucks. Multiple dining options are available at some of these locations.

Patient Dining Services

Eating well during your hospital stay will contribute to a quicker and better recovery. To ensure that you eat well, Sodexo offers the patient room service system, At Your Request®. Learn more about our Patient Dining Services.

Ashley River Tower

Baja Fresh

Located inside the UH cafeteria area. For all the Mexican food lovers, this is the place to visit. Open Monday – Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.Menu (pdf)Baja Nutritional Information (pdf)

Casa Vida

Located at the front of the hallway leading to the MUSC cafeteria area. A variety of individual pan pizzas, pastas, and salads are available for take out. Catering can be arranged with a minimum of one business day by calling 843-792-8191. Open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Hours are subject to change on holidays or inclement weather.)Menu (pdf)Casa Vida Nutritional Information (pdf)

Freshens ® Energy Zone

Located in CASA VIDA at the entrance of the MUSC cafeteria. Frozen yogurt and smoothies are available here when you need a "cool-down" on a hot summer day, Open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Menu (pdf)

Catering

Our Team

The clinical nutrition services, dietetic internship, and areas of nutrition research operate through the Digestive Disease Center, under the direction of Brian Sloan and Dr. John Maxwell. The three main focuses of the nutrition program are to conduct scientific research, promote sound nutrition education for health professionals, and provide effective nutrition programs throughout the community.

Our Dietitian Staff

Nutrition Education and Research

The South Carolina Nutrition Research Consortium

The Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, and the South Carolinas Research Authority founded the South Carolina Nutrition Research Consortium in July, 2001. The Consortium was developed to leverage the resources of universities, industries, and government to support innovative nutrition research that will enhance nutrition, disease prevention, and health among all South Carolinians.

Digestive Disease Center

The Digestive Disease Center (DDC) concentrates on research whose clinical potential value is evident in the short-term. There is a continuum between performance (quality) improvement and clinical research. Performance improvement involves doing today's job better. Clinical research is aimed at patients in the near future.

The DDC is currently involved in approximately forty clinical research studies. The spectrum of "disease" involvement spans from pancreato-biliary to GI cancer to motility to general GI (IBS & IBD) issues. Research projects mainly involve clinical trials and technology development, and advances in technology within GI instrumentation (stents and scopes). These efforts are supported by a grants coordinator, data manager, and research nurses, along with the DDC/GI clinic, endoscopy staff, and physicians. The strategy of the research practice at the DDC is to parallel itself with the daily routine of patient care. It is this strategy and dedication which will maintain the center's mission to improve overall patient care.

Educational Resources

MUSC's Registered Dietitians (RDs) are committed to helping you achieve optimal nutrition. Please visit the links below for access to educational resources to teach you how to improve and maintain your health.

See a variety of the handouts MUSC Outpatient Registered Dietitians (RDs) regularly provide to their patients. Regardless of what your health goals are, find a new way to make healthy changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Listen to MUSC Registered Dietitians conducting a 15-30 minute presentation on selected topics. Whether you are a health professional or just interested in the topic, listen to the nutrition experts elaborate on the topic!